“Around three people who could benefit from a donated organ still die a day.

“Please, tell your family you want to donate, and join the NHS Organ Donor Register.”

Prime Minister Theresa May announced in October that the Government will shift towards an opt-out organ donation system in England, which presumes people give consent for their organs and tissues to be donated in the event of their death unless they state otherwise.

An opt-out system has been operating in Wales since December 2015, and in June last year the Scottish Government announced plans to move to a soft opt-out system.

Around 500 people died last year while on the waiting list, or being taken off the list after becoming too unwell for transplant.

Janet Davies, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “As a country, we must build on the significant progress of the last 12 months.

“Nursing staff overwhelming support moving to an opt-out system for organ donation.

“When hundreds are still dying for want of a donor, this move could give more of them a fighting chance.”

For more information vist: www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Meanwhile, figures from Wales show that deceased organ donation reached a record of 74 in 2017/18.

Welsh health secretary Vaughan Gething said: “The organ donation figures are definitely moving in the right direction but we do need to have several more years’ data to draw firmer conclusions around the impact of the change in the law.

“Every donor is incredibly precious; with approximately 300 people dying in circumstances where organ donation is possible we need everyone to say yes and for families to be ready to support this decision.

“We must not forget that behind every number is a person and a grieving family. My thanks go out to all those who choose to give the gift of life, and the family who support their decision. Without their generosity, others would not get their transformative transplant.”